Page 34 of Jacob Michaels is Not Crazy

“Do as I said.” She waved him off. “He’s gonna catch his death of cold.”

Lucas frowned and turned as if to head off to do what Oma had instructed. Quickly, I leaned into Lucas and whispered in his ear:

“Look out for…that thing.”

Lucas gave me a nod, then a quick kiss on the lips, ignoring that we were in Oma’s presence, and headed off towards the living room. Oma banged around for a minute, then walked over and ushered me towards the living room. I let her nudge me into the living room in front of the fireplace, then at her instruction removed my shoes and socks. I stripped off my coat and handed it over.

“What the hell are you doing falling into the lake?” Oma shook her head as she draped my coat over her forearm. “Ain’t got the sense God gave a goose.”

“I didn’t fall,” I grumbled. “I jumped in to save this person who was on the overlook.”

She rolled her eyes. “Who the fuck is going to be out there this time of night, on a night like this no less, except you two morons?”

“I swear to you, Oma,” I stated firmly. “There was somebody out there on the overlook dancing around like a weirdo, then they fell in the lake, and I jumped in without thinking and…”

“And what?” She asked after a beat.

“Nothing.” I shook my head. “Nothing, ya’ mean old woman. I nearly died trying to save someone’s life and all you do is call me a moron.”

“Well—who the hell else would do such a thing?” She replied firmly. “I don’t give a shit if some idiot wants to fall in the lake acting a fool. They shoulda know’d better anyway.”

There was no point in arguing with Oma. Either she didn’t believe my story or she didn’t care if it was true or not. Obviously, it was more important that I didn’t die than it was to save someone who fell in the lake. Someone who looked like a young teen me. I shivered at the thought, which made Oma frown more deeply.

“Lucas!” She bellowed toward the ceiling.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs and Lucas hurried in to join us in the living room. He had a towel and a pile of clothes in his arms.

“I got clothes,” Lucas announced before glancing at me as though trying to convey something.

“Well, you get him out of those clothes and into fresh ones while I go put these shoes out back.” She instructed. “You’ve seen him naked so it shouldn’t be too embarrassing for you to help him.”

Lucas blushed at that, but Oma ignored it and headed towards the kitchen. Once she was out of sight, Lucas chunked the clothes on the couch and his fingers went to my shirt. I held my arms up and he slid my shirt off of me. I stopped him from reaching for my pants and unbuttoned and pulled them off myself. Then I stripped off my underwear. Lucas’ eyes shone hungrily in the light cast from the fireplace. I gave him an admonishing look, which made him grin sheepishly. He handed me the towel as he gathered up my wet clothes and set them by the fire. I dried off quickly and pulled on the boxer briefs he had brought for me. Then I pulled on the sweatpants and sweater he had gathered. Lucas took the towel from me and reached up to dry my hair better as we stood in front of the fire.

“There was no one up there, Rob.” He whispered softly.

“Any wet footprints?” I asked lowly.

“Nothing.” He shook his head.

I sighed to myself as he finished drying my hair. Then he was pulling my face down to his and his lips were pressing softly against mine. He kissed me gently for several moments before pulling back, his eyes staying closed as he pulled me into a hug.

“I’m not crazy,” I said though I wasn’t sure if I was talking to Lucas or reminding myself.

“I know you’re not,” Lucas replied. “I saw it, too.”

I swallowed hard, grateful that he believed me. It made me care for Lucas more than I wanted.

“What is going on?”

“I don’t know, babe.” He whispered.

That word coming out of his mouth made me pulled back, though not to get away from him, but just in an effort to look him in the eyes.

“Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?” He asked.

“Because it felt right.”